Associate Professor Vijaya Manicavasagar to present Keynote at IMHC

Associate Professor Vijaya Manicavasagar, Director of Psychological Services and Director of the Psychology Clinic, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, BSc. Psyhology (Hons), M Psychology (Hons), PhD to present Keynote at the 16th International Mental Health Conference being held at QT Hotel, Surfers Paradise Thursday 13 August to Friday 14 August 2015.

The Conference will bring together leading clinical practitioners, academics, service providers and mental health experts to deliberate and discuss Mental Health issues confronting Australia and New Zealand. The Conference theme is Mental Health Future For All with topics across the broad spectrum of mental disorders including Anxiety, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Bipolar, Dementia and Suicide.

A/Prof Vijaya Manicavasagar is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Academic within the Black Dog Institute and School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales. She currently also holds the position of Clinical Director of the Psychology Clinic which specialises in the psychological treatment of mood disorders including bipolar disorder. The Psychology Clinic offers a range of services including client assessments, individual and group treatments as well as providing expert opinion for psychological impairment. In addition, A/Prof Manicavasagar provides training to intern and registrar psychologists through the Psychology Clinic.

A/Prof Vijaya Manicavasagar’s clinical research interests are in the fields of anxiety and depressive disorders including bipolar disorder. She is the author of several academic publications, book chapters and books in these areas. She has been involved in the development of several online programs including ‘MyCompass’ for self-monitoring and managing mild to moderate psychological problems; ‘Bite Back’ a website which applies positive psychology techniques to improve youth wellbeing; and an app that helps adults discover their core life values (‘Spark’). A/Professor Manicavasagar is also the lead investigator in a series of studies on the development and implementation of wellbeing programs in schools utilising a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Positive Psychology.

Link to more on A/Prof Vijaya Manicavasagar's research